GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING 
AND  TRAINING 


MR  13  1919 

FARMERS’  RULLETIN  471 

UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE 


Contribution  from  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry 

WM.  A.  TAYLOR,  Chief 


Washington,  D.  C. 


Issued  December  19,  1911;  revised,  November,  1917 


Show  this  bulletin  to  a neighbor.  Additional  copies  may  be  obtained  free  from  the 
Division  of  Publications,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture 


OF  UliNOiS  UBtUR 


GEORGE  C.  HUSMANN 

Pomologist  in  Charge  of  Viticultural  Investigations,  Office  of 
Horticultural  and  Pomological  Investigations 


WASHINGTON  I GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE  I ISII 


SEEDLINGS,  cuttings,  layers,  and  grafts  are  four 
means  of  propagating  the  vine,  but  the  first  is 
only  good  for  originating  new  varieties,  and  the 
young  plants  are  seldom  used  even  for  grafting  stock; 
so  practically  only  three  methods  are  available,  each 
of  which  brings  vines  true  to  name.  Descriptions  of 
all  these  methods  are  found  in  this  bulletin. 

The  principles,  methods,  and  objects  of  pruning 
both  the  young  and  the  bearing  vines  in  winter  and 
summer  are  presented  in  such  a way  as  to  enable  the 
reader  to  grasp  and  practice  them  without  further 
instruction. 

The  training  systems  followed  in  the  principal 
grape  regions  as  varied  by  the  nature  and  habit  of 
the  different  varieties  are  elaborated  and  illustrated, 
so  that  a selection  may  be  intelligently  made  appli- 
cable to  the  development  of  a few  vines  on  a city  lot 
or  through  the  varying  conditions  to  an  extensive 
vineyard. 

The  great  and  rapidly  increasing  number  of  per- 
sons interested  in  grape  growing  will  find  much  of 
value  in  this  pamphlet. 


iiV.iOU 


<c  '3  ^ t Z\  b 
n \ b d ?f, 

GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND 
TRAINING. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 


J Importance  of  grape  culture 3 

3 Propagation  of  the  grape 3 

Soil  and  location 8 

Description  of  the  parts  of  a vine — 8 

Care  and  training  of  young  vines — 10 


Page. 


The  pruning  of  bearing  vines 13 

Training  and  training  systems 15 

The  principal  grape  regions  of  the 

United  States . 26 


IMPORTANCE  OF  GRAPE  CULTURE. 


BY  NATURE  the  grapevine  is  a great  rambler.  Forms  of  it  are 
found  in  our  woods  striving  to  overtop  the  tallest  trees,  and 
.single  plants  overspread  large  areas.  Again,  other  forms  are  grown 
as  mere  bushes,  2 or  3 feet  high,  producing  crops  ranging  from  1^ 
to  22  tons  of  fruit  to  the  acre.  No  other  fruit-bearing  plant  responds 
so  generously  to  attention,  adjusts  itself  to  so  many  conditions,  or  is 
used  for  such  a variety  of  purposes.  For  these  reasons  its  culture 
has  always  kept  pace 
with  civilization. 

Grapes  are  often 
grown  on  soils  too 
poor  for  other  pur- 
poses. 

Native  species  of 
the  grape  are  found 
in  nearly  all  parts 
of  the  world,  and  no 
country  is  blessed  with  a greater  number  of  them  than  our  own.  It  is 
therefore  reasonable  to  conclude  that  grapes  can  be  successfully 
grown  almost  everywhere  in  this  country,  results  with  them  de- 
pending largely  upon  the  selection  of  varieties  of  the  species  suited 
to  the  respective  conditions.  (Fig.  1.) 


Fig.  1.- 


-An  experiment  vineyard  of  the  Bureau  of  Plant 
Industry. 


PROPAGATION  OF  THE  GRAPE. 


SEEDLINGS. 

In  ordinary  practice  grapevines  are  propagated  from  seed,  from 
cuttings,  by  layering,  or  by  grafting.  For  originating  new  varieties, 
seedlings  must  of  course  be  used.  The  individual  seedlings  differ 
so  widely  that  they  are  seldom  used  by  the  intelligent  planter  even 
for  grafting  stock. 

471 


3 


4 


FARMERS*  BULLETIN  471. 


CUTTINGS. 

Cuttings  for  propagation  may  be  prepared  at  any  time  after  the 
vines  have  become  dormant.  Other  things  being  equal,  and  if  they 
are  afterwards  well  cared  for,  the  sooner  they  are  prepared  after 
the  vines  have  become  dormant  the  better.  The  length  of  the  cut- 
tings may  vary  from  8 to  20  inches,  depending  on  the  climatic  and 
other  conditions  of  the  locality  in  which  they  are  to  be  planted. 
Usually,  the  hotter  and  drier  the  climate  the  longer  the  cuttings  will 
need  to  be.  They  should  always  be  made  from  young,  well-matured 
wood,  and  preferably  from  medium-sized,  short- jointed  wood. 

To  make  cuttings,  cut  close  below  the  lower  bud, 
making  the  cut  somewhat  slanting  (fig.  2),  and 
leave  about  an  inch  of  wood  above  the  upper  bud 
or  eye.  If  a small  piece  of  the  old  wood  or  a whorl 
of  buds  can  be  left  to  form  the  butt  end  of  the 
cutting,  so  much  the  better.  The  cuttings  should 
be  tied  in  convenient-sized  bundles,  the  butts  being 
turned  the  same  way.  The  bundles  should  then  be 
heeled  in  or  buried  in  trenches,  butt  ends  up,  and 
well  covered  with  8 to  6 inches  of  soil.-  (Fig.  6.) 
Inverting  the  bundles  causes  the  butts  to  callus 
while  the  tops  remain  dormant,  and  the  cuttings ! 
are  ready  to  throw  out  rootlets  as  soon  as  planted ; 
whereas,  if  the  bundles  are  heeled  in  with  the  tops 
up  the  latter  often  start  to  grow  before  the  roots  to 
support  them  do. 

In  the  spring,  when  the  ground  has  become  warm 
enough,  plant  the  cuttings  in  soil  made  mellow  by 
plowing  and  cultivating.  The  planting  may  be 
done  in  slanting  trenches,  3 or  4 feet  apart,  which 
can  be  made  with  a plow.  Deepen  the  trenches 
with  a spade  if  necessary.  Set  the  cuttings  at  such 
depth  that  only  the  upper  buds  will  project  above  the  ground  and 
firm  the  soil  well  around  them.  The  cuttings  should  be  spaced  2 to  3 
inches  apart,  the  distance  between  them  differing  with  the  varieties, 
some  rooting  more  readily  than  others.  Keep  the  soil  clean  with  hoe 
and  cultivator,  and  stir  often  during  the  summer  to  keep  it  mellow 
and  moist.  Frequent  stirring  in  many  localities  is  better  than 
irrigation. 

LAYERS. 

All  varieties  of  the  vine  may  be  propagated  by  layers.  The 
Kotundifolia  vines  are  nearly  always  propagated  in  this  manner, 

471 


Fig.  2. — A bundle  of 
grape  cuttings. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


5 


but  with  other  species  layering  is  usually  resorted  to  only  with  varie- 
ties which  do  not  root  readily  from  cuttings.  In  layering  choose 
canes  of  the  last  season’s  growth,  preferably  those  that  start  near  the 
base  of  the  vine.  (Fig.  3.) 

It  is  well,  the  summer  before,  to  leave  on  the  vine  for  this  purpose 
some  shoots  starting  close  above  ground  and  allow  them  to  grow  as 
long  as  possible.  In  pruning  these  canes  all  the  well-developed  buds 
are  left.  The  ground  is  made  mellow,  a trench  about  2 inches  deep 
is  drawn  from  the  vine  with  the  hoe,  and  the  cane  is  bent  down  and 
fastened  in  it.  Each  bud  on  the  cane  will  usually  produce  a shoot, 
which  by  this  process  is  made  to  grow  upward.  When  these  shoots 
are  well  started  the  trench  should  be  filled  with  soil.  Each  of  the 
shoots  then  takes 
root  at  its  base.  To 
assist  the  roots  in 
starting,  a slight  in- 
cision should  be  made 
in  the  cane  opposite 
each  shoot.  The 
plants  are  taken  up 
in  the  fall  or  win- 
ter, being  divided  by 
severing  the  original 

Cane  behind  each  •FlG-  ^ vine  two  canes  layered,  showing  the 

. . . method  of  propagation  by  layers. 

shoot,  which,  having 

its  own  system  of  roots,  becomes  a new  vine.  (Eig.  3.)  Canes  may  be 
layered  either  in  the  fall  or  in  the  spring. 

GRAFTING. 

There  are  many  so-called  methods  of  grafting.  The  following  de- 
scriptions include  only  those  most  generally  used.  Bench,  nursery, 
and  vineyard  grafting  are  resorted  to  in  general  vineyard  practice. 
The  mechanical  operations  performed  are  similar  and  the  underlying 
principles  are  the  same,  the  essential  difference  being,  as  the  names 
imply,  the  place  where  the  work  is  done. 

Bench  grafting  is  done  on  benches  or  tables,  usually  indoors  during 
winter.  Cuttings  of  resistant  varieties  that  root  easily  or  good, 
young,  rooted  plants  are  usually  bench  grafted. 

The  grafting  of  vines  growing  in  the  nursery  is  called  nursery 
grafting.  This  form  of  propagation  is  usually  resorted  to  with 
varieties  resistant  to  phylloxera  that  do  not  grow  readily  from  cut- 
tings. Booted  cuttings  of  other  varieties  are  grafted  in  the  nursery 
and  the  resulting  vines  planted  in  the  vineyard. 

471 


6 


FARMERS 9 BULLETIN  471. 


In  vineyard  grafting  the  vines  growing  where  they  are  to  remain 
are  grafted. 

Some  of  the  important  practical  advantages  of  grafting  are: 
(1)  Changing  worthless  vines  into  valuable  ones;  (2)  insuring  non- 
resistant  varieties  against  phylloxera  by  grafting  them  on  resistant 
stocks;  (3)  obtaining  quickly  plenty  of  wood  for  propagating  pur- 
poses by  grafting  new  or  scarce  varieties  on  strong  vines;  and  (4) 
producing  resistant  vineyards  by  grafting  valuable  resistants  or  direct 
producers  on  roots  of  growing  vines  and  then  allowing  the  scions  to 
make  roots  of  their  own. 

The  selection  and  proper  keeping  of  the  scions  for  grafting  are  very 
important.  Medium-sized,  short- jointed,  firm,  well-ripened  wood 
should  be  selected.  Do  not  allow  the  scions  to  dry  out,  but  keep  them 

dormant  until  used  by  covering 
completely  'with  fairly  dry  sand  in 
a cool,  dry  cellar. 

In  all  grafting  a joining  of  the 
inner  bark  of  the  stock  and  scion 
must  be  accomplished.  This  bark 
is  thicker  on  large  than  on  small 
stocks ; hence  it  is  usually  thicker  on 
the  stock  than  on  the  scion.  The 
union,  especially  in  vineyard  graft- 
ing, needs  to  be  closely  observed 
when  the  scions  are  inserted.  In 
bench  grafting,  scions  and  stocks 
of  like  diameter  can  be  selected, 
making  possible  such  perfect  graft- 
ing that  the  inner  barks  ‘join  at 
almost  every  point,  allowing  their 
knitting  to  become  easy  and  complete.  (Fig.  5.) 

In  bench  grafting,  the  visible  and  adventitious  buds  are  cut  out  of 
the  cuttings  used  as  stocks  so  as  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  the 
sprouting  of  suckers  from  the  stocks  after  they  are  planted. 

In  vinevard  grafting,  many  operators,  a month  or  so  before  graft- 
ing, cut  off  the  stem  of  the  vine  an  inch  or  two  above  where  it  is  to  be 
grafted  so  that  the  stock  may  bleed  profusely.  Water  sprouts  that 
otherwise  would  appear  are  thus  to  a great  extent  eliminated. 

In  cleft  grafting,  the  vines  are  cut  off  at  a smooth  place  near  and 
preferably  a little  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  unless  it  is  de- 
sired to  have  the  grafts  establish  themselves  on  their  own  roots,  as  it 
makes  the  removal  of  water  sprouts  and  roots  starting  from  the  scion 
much  easier  and  lessens  the  danger  of  injuring  the  scion  before  it  is 
thoroughly  knitted  to  the  stock.  (Fig.  4.) 

471 


Fig.  4. — Vines  grafted  according  to  the 
cleft-graft  method  : At  the  left  with 
two  scions ; at  the  right  with  one 
scion. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


1 


In  bench  grafting,  a smooth  surface  for  grafting  is  selected  above 
a node  on  the  stock.  The  node  keeps  the  stock  from  splitting  below 
it  during  the  grafting  process.  After  cutting  off  the  stock,  whether 
a vine  or  a cutting,  split  it  longitudinally  with  a sharp  knife  or 
shears,  or  if  a heavy  vine  with  a chisel.  In  cleft-grafting  stocks  not 
more  than  an  inch  in 
diameter  the  shears 
can  be  used  in  mak- 
ing both  the  horizon- 
tal and  the  longitudi- 
nal cuts.  (Fig.  4.) 

To  prevent  the  bruis- 
ing of  the  bark  in  cut- 
ting, keep  the  blade 
of  the  shears  on  the 
side  where  the  scion 
is  to  be  inserted.  To 
prepare  the  scion,  cut 
with  a sharp  knife  a 
simple  wedge,  begin- 
ning at  or  slightly 
below  a bud  and  mak- 
ing a long  sloping  cut 
toward  the  middle 
and  a similar  one  on 
the  opposite  side. 

Scions  of  two  eyes  are 
preferable.  To  insert, 
open  the  cleft  and 
push  the  scion  in 
firmly  until  the  bud  is 
just  above  the  upper 
end  of  the  stock,  tak- 
ing care  that  the  in- 
ner barks  of  stock 
and  scion  fit  closely. 

When  large  vines  are 
grafted  it  may  require 
a metal  wedge  to  open  the  cleft, 
each  side,  are  frequently  used. 

Another  favorite  method  with  small  stocks,  especially  in  bench 
grafting  when  the  diameter  of  the  stock  is  the  same  or  very  little 
greater  than  that  of  the  scion,  is  the  English  cleft,  split,  or  whip 
graft.  (Fig.  5,  E .)  By  this  method  a sloping  transverse  cut  is 


Fig.  5. — Bench-grafted  cuttings  of  grapevines,  showing 
three  methods  of  grafting : A,  C , F,  Grafts  tied  with 
raffia ; B,  bench  cleft  graft ; D,  bench  whip  graft ; E, 
English  cleft,  split,  or  whip  graft. 

In  large  vines  two  scions,  one  on 


8 


FARMERS*  BULLETIN  471. 


made  upward  on  the  stock  and  a split  downward  from  the  middle  of 
the  cut.  In  the  scion  just  the  reverse  but  a like  split  and  cut  are 
made.  Then  the  upper  wedge  made  in  the  scion  is  pushed  into  the 
split  of  the  stock  in  such  a way  that  the  inner  barks  join  and  fit 
closely. 

When  grafting  is  done  near  the  ground  on  stocks  strong  enough 
to  hold  the  scions  firmly  no.  tying  is  necessary ; otherwise  they  should 
be  tied  with  raffia,  as  shown  in  figure  5,  A,  C,  and  F.  In  either  case 
a stake  should  be  driven  at  the  side  of  the  graft  to  protect  it  and  to 
provide  a support  for  the  young  shoots.  It  is  good  practice  to  press 
a little  moist  soil  over  the  cut  around  the  junction  of  the  graft  and 
to  cover  the  scion  completely  with  fine  dirt,  hilling  it  up  sufficiently 
to  protect  it  from  drying  out. 

When  vines  grafted  above  ground  are  not  covered  with  dirt  the 
entire  cuts  should  be  waxed  to  exclude  the  air.  The  grafts  should 
be  examined  frequently  and  the  suckers  removed,  and  the  roots  start- 
ing from  scions  that  have  been  grafted  on  resistant  stocks  should  be 
cut  off. 

Bench  grafts  are  also  tied  with  raffia.  (Fig.  5.)  They  may  be 
planted  out  directly,  but  bench-grafted  cuttings  are  usually  stored 
or  are  heeled  in  upside  down  in  damp,  not  wet,  river  sand,  moss,  or 
other  suitable  material,  to  allow  them  to  callus  before  planting. 
(Fig.  6.) 

SOIL  AND  LOCATION. 

The  soil  and  location  best  suited,  the  preparation  of  the  soil,  the 
laying  out  of  and  cost  per  acre  of  establishing  a vineyard,  and  the 
cultivation  and  fertilization  necessary  for  obtaining  the  best  results 
are  not  presented  here,  as  they  vary  decidedly  with  differing  condi- 
tions of  soil,  climate,  etc.,  and  need  to  be  dealt  with  in  a special 
treatise  on  the  subject. 

The  uses  and  manipulation  of  the  vine  for  various  purposes  and 
the  insect  and  fungous  enemies  of  the  grape,  with  methods  of  com- 
bating them,  are  discussed  in  other  publications.1 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  PARTS  OF  A VINE. 

A clear  understanding  of  the  names  of  the  different  parts  of  a vine 
is  necessary  before  the  subject  of  grape  training  is  considered. 

i Farmers’  Bulletins : No.  27,  Important  Insecticides ; Directions  for  Their  Prepara- 
tion and  Use.  No.  175,  Home  Manufacture  and  Use  of  Unfermented  Grape  Juice.  No. 
243,  Fungicides  and  Their  Use  in  Preventing  Diseases  of  Fruits.  No.  284,  Insect  and 
Fungous  Enemies  of  the  Grape  East  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Yearbook  Papers : No.  281, 
Grape,  Raisin,  and  Wine  Production  in  the  United  States.  No.  354,  Some  Uses  of  the 
Grapevine  and  Its  Fruit.  These  publications  are  issued  for  free  distribution  and  may 
be  obtained  upon  application  to  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  or  any  Member  of  Congress. 

471 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING.  9 

Figure  7 illustrates  a vine,  the  different  parts  of  which  are  shown  by 
letters,  as  follows:  Z,  trunk,  the  stem  or  main  body  of  the  vine;  B , 
branches,  which  are 
of  mature  wood, 
being  several  years 
old;  Ay  arms  or 
ramifications  of  the 
branches,  usually 
of  wood  two  or 
more  years  old;  C, 
canes,  called  shoots 
when  green  and 
canes  when  mature ; 

S,  suckers,  the 
shoots  which  start 
below  the  ground 
from  the  main  body ; WS9  water  sprouts,  the  shoots  which  start  above 
the  ground  from  wood  older  than  one  year ; Z,  laterals,  the  secondary 

The  basal  eye  or 
bud,  which  is  not 
reckoned  in  count- 
ing the  eyes  on 
a spur,  is  near  the 
base  of  the  canet 
When  more  than 
four  eyes  of  a cane 
are  left  in  pruning 
it  is  generally 
called  a fruiting 
cane. 

Water  sprouts 
and  suckers  do  not 
ordinarily  produce 
bearing  shoots. 

Below  the  basal 
bud  on  each  cane 
are  one  or  more 
dormant  buds, 
which  grow  and 
produce  sterile 
canes  only  when 
too  few  eyes  are 
left  in  pruning  or  when  the  eyes  have  been  destroyed.  At  the  base  of 
each  eye  on  a cane  there  are  two  dormant  buds.  Sometimes  one  of 
16627°— Bull.  471—17 2 


shoots  of  a cane. 


Fig.  7. — Diagram  of  a grapevine,  showing  the  different  parts 
and  illustrating  the  four-cane  system  of  training:  A,  Arms 
or  ramifications  of  the  branches,  usually  of  wood  two  or 
more  years  old ; B,  branches  which  are  of  mature  wood, 
being  several  years  old  ; C,  canes,  called  shoots  when  green 
and  canes  when  mature ; L,  laterals,  the  secondary  shoots 
of  a cane ; 8,  suckers,  the  shoots  starting  below  the  ground 
from  the  main  body  ; T,  trunk,  the  stem  or  main  body  of 
the  vine ; W.  8.,  water  sprouts,  the  shoots  which  start 
above  the  ground  from  wood  older  than  one  year ; 1,  2,  3,  It, 
2-year  old  arms. 


Fig.  6. — Grafts  or  cuttings  ready  for  heeling  in. 


10 


FARMERS'  BULLETIN  471. 


these  grows  the  season  it  is  formed,  making  a lateral  from  which 
secondary  laterals  also  may  grow. 

The  first  and  secondary  laterals  bear  the  so-called  second  and  third 
crops  of  grapes. 

CARE  AND  TRAINING  OF  YOUNG  VINES. 

The  treatment  given  vines  during  the  first  years  of  their  growth 
largely  determines  the  profit  and  pleasure  to  be  derived  from  them. 

If  improperly  cared  for  during 
this  period  satisfactory  returns 
are  not  obtained  afterwards. 

PLANTING  CUTTINGS  OR  ROOTED 
VINES. 

If  cuttings  (fig.  2)  are  planted 
and  the  supply  is  sufficient,  two 
in  each  place  increases  the  chances 
of  getting  a full  stand.  Should 
both  cuttings  grow,  one  of  them 
can  easily  be  pulled  up  without 
injuring  the  other.  To  protect 
the  cuttings 
from  drying  out, 
plant  them  so 
that  the  top  bud 
projects  only  a 
trifle  above  the 
ground. 

If  rooted  vines, 

either  plain  or  grafted,  are  used,  the  roots  should 
be  cut  back  to  3 to  4 inches,  depending  on  their 
vigor.  Only  one  cane  of  the  top  should  be  left,  and 

O «/  A ' JJ  JUjr.  €7.  V 1UC 

this  should  be  cut  back  to  two  or  three  good  buds.  pruned  at  the 
(Fig.  8.)  If  grafts  are  used,  all  scion  roots  and  all  yefr.°f  the  flrSt 
suckers  should  be  carefully  removed. 

During  the  first  year  after  planting,  no  pruning  or  training  is 
usually  given,  although  it  is,  perhaps,  a good  plan  with  vigorous 
plants,  especially  if  the  season  is  propitious,  to  rub  off  all  except  the 
straightest  and  strongest  of  the  young  shoots  that  start.  (Fig.  9.) 
The  following  winter  the  vines  should  be  pruned  and  staked  before 
they  start  to  grow,  the  size  of  the  stake  used  depending  on  the 
method  of  training  adopted.  In  ordinary  stool  or  spur  pruning,  or 

471 


Fig.  8. — A grapevine  showing  the  method 
of  pruning  roots  ready  for  planting. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


11 


where  the  vines  are  to  be  trellised  or  arbored  afterwards,  a stake  1J 
to  2 inches  square  should  be  used,  long  enough  so  that  after  being 
driven  1J  feet  into  the  ground  it  will  reach  1 or  2 inches  above  where 
the  vine  tied  to  it  is  to  be  headed.  If  the  vines  are  to  be  pruned  to 
canes  and  the  latter  tied  to  stakes,  it  will  be  necessary  to  use  stakes  2 
inches  square  and  5 to  6 feet  long.  (Fig.  11.)  When  Rotundifolia 
varieties  are  to  be  grown  on  overhead  arbors,  posts  projecting  about 
7 feet  above  the  ground 
should  be  planted  on 
the  side  of  each  vine 
opposite  the  prevailing 
wind.  (Figs.  10  and 
11.) 

FIRST  PRUNING  AFTER 
PLANTING. 

The  first  pruning 
after  planting  may  be 
done  at  any  time  dur- 
ing the  winter  when 
the  vines  are  dormant 
and  not  frozen.  The 
extent  of  the  pruning 
will  depend  on  the 
growth  made.  If  the 
growth  has  been  small, 
all  the  canes  except  the 
strongest  should  be  re- 
removed, and  this  one  cut  back  to  two  eyes.  (Fig.  9.)  If  a strong 
growth  has  been  made  and  there  is  one  straight  well-ripened  cane,  all 
other  growth  should  be  removed  and  this  cane  cut  back  to  the  height 
at  which  it  is  intended  to  head  the  vine.  The  cane  should  be  tied 
securely  and,  as  it  is  to  become  and  remain  the  trunk  or  main  body 
of  the  vine,  should  be  kept  as  nearly  erect  and  straight  as  possible. 
(Fig.  12.) 

SUMMER  PRUNING. 

Where  the  vine  was  cut  back  to  two  buds  only  one  should  be 
allowed  to  grow.  All  other  young  shoots  should  be  removed  (fig.  12), 
preferably  when  quite  young  and  not  more  than  3 or  4 inches 
long.  This  concentrates  all  the  force  and  growth  of  the  plant 
into  the  cane,  which  is  to  become  the  trunk  of  the  vine.  The  shoot 

471 


12 


FARMERS  BULLETIN  471. 


Fig. 


12. — Vines  growing  in  a vineyard  the  first  year,  show- 
ing single  shoots  tied  to  stakes. 


left  to  grow  must  be  kept  carefully  tied  to  the  stake  to  cause  it  to 
grow  erect  and  also  to  protect  it  from  being  broken  by  the  wind  or 

other  agency.  When 
a shoot  has  grown 
to  a foot  above 
wrhere  it  is  intended 
to  head  it  should  be 
topped  slightly 
above  where  the 
head  is  to  be,  caus- 
ing laterals  to  grow 
where  they  are  de- 
sired. Only  such 
shoots  should  be  al- 
lowed to  grow  as  are  needed  for  shaping  the  vine  for  the  following 
season.  (Fig.  13.)  All  suckers  should  be  promptly  removed. 

WINTER  PRUNING. 

By  the  third  year  all  vines  should  have  erect,  straight  stems  with 
two  or  more  canes  growing  from  the  principal  part,  out  of  which 

the  head  or  crown  is 
to  be  formed  and 
from  which  the 
growth  of  the  vine 
is  to  be  renewed 
from  year  to  year. 
(Fig.  13.) 

The  vine,  when 
permitted  to  do  so, 
bears  its  fruit  on 
shoots  from  the  last 
year’s  wood  growth; 
therefore,  the  cardi- 
nal point  underlying 
all  correct  pruning, 
be  the  method  of 
training  what  it 
may,  is  first  to  grow 
and  shape  or  adjust 
the  main  body  or 
permanent  part  of 
the  vine  to  the  method  of  training  desired.  After  this  has  been  done 
the  growth  on  this,  the  fruit-bearing  part  of  the  plant,  should  be  so 
pruned  that  it  will  be  renewed  from  year  to  year,  never  allowing  the 

471 


Fig.  13. — Vines  headed  back  for  different  systems  of  train- 
ing : A,  The  spur  and  fan  systems  ; B,  the  four-arm  re- 
newal system ; G the  two-arm  Kniffin,  Munson,  umbrella, 
and  overhead  systems. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


13 


plant  to  overbear  but  making  it  bear  to  its  full  capacity.  If  this  is 
done  the  body  of  the  plant  gradually  becomes  stronger  and  its  fruit- 
ing capacity  increases  correspondingly,  no  wasteful  plant  growth  is 
allowed  at  the  expense  of  fruitage,  and  the  vines  are  easily  kept  clear 
of  insects  and  fungous  diseases.  The  manner  of  renewing  the  growth 
on  the  body  of  the  vine  so  as  to  leave  the  body  permanent  is  illustrated 
in  figures  7 and  14,  which  show  the  same  vine  before  and  after  pruning. 

In  figure  7 the  2-year-old  arms  1,  0,  3,  and  which  grew  during 
the  previous  summer,  were  the  only  ones  allowed  to  remain  of  all  the 
canes  when  the  vine  was  pruned  in  the  winter.  The  canes  shown 
grew  from  these  and  bore  fruit  the  next  summer.  When  pruned  the 
following  winter,  as 
seen  in  figure  14,  only 
the  canes  <z,  b , c,  and 
d were  left,  and  these 
were  tied  to  the  wire 
in  the  same  manner  as 
the  arms  7,  0,  3,  and 
4 of  the  season  before. 

(Fig.  7.)  The  spurs 
shown  (fig.  14,  Sp.) 
are  canes  cut  back  to 
one  to  four  eyes  for  the 
purpose  of  starting 
new  canes  to  be  left 
the  following  year. 

It  took  10  cuts  to 
prune  the  entire  vine. 

Not  only  do  differ- 
ent countries  have  dif- 
ferent methods  of  pruning  and  training,  but  methods  often  vary  in 
the  several  districts  of  the  same  country.  The  inherent  peculiarities 
of  the  varieties  themselves  often  require  special  methods  to  obtain  the 
best  results.  No  attempt  will  be  made  to  describe  methods  other 
than  those  that  appear  most  applicable  and  have  proved  most  satisfac- 
tory for  the  grape  species  grown  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States. 

THE  PRUNING  OF  BEARING  VINES. 

PRINCIPLES  CONSIDERED  IN  PRUNING. 

To  prune  intelligently,  the  age,  size,  and  condition  of  the  plant, 
the  location,  climate,  soil,  and  other  features  of  its  environment,  and 
the  principles  governing  its  life  must  be  considered. 

471 


Fig.  14. — A vine  pruned  according  to  the  four-cane 
Kniffin  system  : C,  Canes,  called  shoots  when  green  and 
canes  when  mature ; Sp,  spurs,  canes  cut  back  to  one 
to  four  eyes  ; T,  trunk,  the  stem  or  main  body  of  the 
vine ; a,  b,  c,  d , arms  succeeding  those  shown  at  their 
2-year  old  stage  in  figure  7 at  1,  2,  3,  k- 


14 


FARMERS*  BULLETIN  471. 


A statement  of  some  of  the  more  important  of  these  life  principles 
follows:  The  sap  flows  with  greatest  force  to  the  outer  extremities; 
the  more  upright  a branch  is,  the  more  sap  flows  into  it;  the  sap 
when  abundant  and  active  produces  wood;  the  more  abundant  the 
flow  of  the  sap,  the  larger  and  later  the  fruit;  the  ascending  sap 
grows  richer  the  farther  it  flows ; checking  the  flow  of  the  sap  makes 
the  plant  bear  earlier  and  produces  more  and  richer  fruit.  The  vine 
usually  bears  its  fruit  on  new  shoots  growing  from  the  wood  of  the 
previous  year.  The  time  for  pruning  is  in  winter,  when  the  vines 
are  dormant.  They  should  not  be  cut  when  frozen  or  while  the  sap 
is  flowing  rapidly.  Summer  pruning  is  practiced  on  the  young 
growth  to  regulate  the  quantity  of  fruit  and  the  shape  of  the  plant. 

OBJECTS  OF  PRUNING. 

In  pruning,  one  or  more  of  the  following  objects  are  usually  ac- 
complished: Parts  of  plants  removed,  renewed,  promoted,  or  re- 
tarded; wounded  and  diseased  plants  cured  ; the  shapes  and  habits 
of  plants  modified;  the  size  and  quantity  of  the  fruit  increased  or 
diminished;  the  quality  of  the  fruit  improved;  the  fruit  made  to 
ripen  earlier  or  later ; a regular  succession  of  fruit  secured ; and  the 
spraying,  training,  cultivation,  and  gathering  of  the  fruit  facilitated. 

METHODS  USED  IN  PRUNING. 

There  are  various  ways  in  which  the  objects  of  pruning  are  accom- 
plished. For  instance,  the  growth  and  health  of  a plant  are  promoted 
and  the  size  of  the  fruit  is  increased  (1)  by  removing  all  the  diseased 
parts  and  suckers;  (2)  by  shortening  extended  shoots,  side  shoots,  and 
laterals;  (3)  by  putting  upright  the  part  whose  rapid  growth  is  de- 
sired; and  (4)  by  removing  the  fruit  buds  or  fruit.  The  plant  is 
retarded  in  growth  and  made  to  bear  earlier  and  richer  fruit  by 
shortening  the  leading  shoots  and  leaving  the  fruit-bearing  wood  and 
by  bending  down  the  branches  and  ring-pruning  them.  The  healing 
of  wounded  and  diseased  plants  is  promoted  by  removing  the  injured 
parts  and  dressing  the  wound.  The  head  of  a plant  is  renewed  by 
cutting  off  the  branches  above;  the  head  is  made  to  grow  thicker  by 
cutting  back  the  outer  branches  and  to  grow  thinner  by  amputating 
all  canes  on  which  there  is  too  much  growth. 

There  are  so  many  species  of  grapes,  each  having  peculiarities  of 
its  own  and  therefore  responding  most  readily  to  certain  cultural 
methods  to  which  it  is  best  adapted,  that  the  pruning,  training,  and 
growing  of  vines,  which  otherwise  may  appear  quite 'simple,  become 
complicated  operations  in  which  comparatively  few  people  become 
expert,  and  vineyards  in  which  serious  mistakes  are  not  made  are 
rare. 


471 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING.  15 

TRAINING  AND  TRAINING  SYSTEMS. 

Around  city  homes  where  there  is  room  for  only  a few  vines,  they 
are  often  trained  on  porches,  fences,  outbuildings,  trees,  etc.  Where 
there  is  sufficient  space  an  arbor  like  that  shown  in  figure  15  is  a 


Fig.  15. — A grape  arbor. 


good  and  attractive  support,  making  the  vine  furnish  a shady  bower 
or  walk  as  well  as  fruit.  In  vineyard  practice  some  growers  use 
only  a stake  or  post  on  which  to  train  each  vine.  (Fig.  11.) 


THE  TRELLIS. 


A support  very  generally  used  on  which  to  train  the  vine  consists 
of  substantial  posts  of  durable  timber  planted  at  regular  intervals, 
the  distance  apart 
varying  with  the 
different  grape  va- 
rieties and  the  dis- 
tances between  the 
plants.  (Fig.  16.) 

To  the  posts  some- 
times only  two,  but  generally  three,  strands  of  No.  10  or  No.  12  wire 
are  fastened,  the  first,  second,  and  third  wires  being  24,  40,  and  56 
inches,  respectively,  from  the  ground.  The  end  posts  of  the  rows 
should  be  firmly  braced. 


Fig.  16. — Diagram  of  an  ordinary  trellis,  showing  the  braces 
(A,B,C)  and  devices  ( D ) used  for  tightening  the  wires. 


The  two  most  common  methods  of  bracing 


16 


farmers'  BULLETIN  471. 


Fig.  17. — A pruned  and  an  unpruned  vine 
at  different  ages,  showing  the  method 
of  pruning  by  the  renewal  system  : A, 
Second  year  ; B,  third  year  ; C,  fourth 
year  ; D,  an  unpruned  vine  in  its  fourth 
year. 


are  shown  in  figure  16,  A and  B. 
Another  post-bracing  method 
often  used  is  shown  at  C in  figure 
16.  As  wire  contracts  in  cold  and 
expands  in  warm  weather,  the 
trellis  wire  should  not  be  stapled 
to  the  end  posts,  but  should  be 
fastened  to  them  by  some  device 
like  a simple  reel,  as  shown  at  D 
in  figure  16.  Some  use  a clamp 
pulley  and  a rope  for  tightening 
the  wire  and  then  wTind  the  slack 
part  two  or  three  times  around 
the  end  post  to  fasten  it. 

THE  HIGH-RENEWAL  OR 
UPRIGHT  SYSTEM. 

In  the  high-renewal  or  upright 
system  of  training,  all  the  sea- 
son’s growth  is  cut  off  each  year 
except  the  head  of  the  vine,  which 
is  cut  back,  leaving  a cane  and  a 
spur  on  each  side,  and  the  canes 
are  tied  to  the  lower  wire  on  the 
trellis.  The  length  of  the  canes 
and  the  number  of  the  eyes  left 
on  them  will  vary  with  the  vari- 
ety and  size  of  the  vine.  The 
fruiting  shoots  growing  from  the 
canes  are  trained  upright  and 
fastened  to  the  wire  overhead. 
Figure  IT,  A , shows  a vine  pruned 
according  to  this  system  at  the 
end  of  the  second  and  figure  IT,  B , 
at  the  end  of  the  third  year.  Fig- 
ure IT,  I)  and  C , shows  the  same 
vine  a year  later,  before  and  after 
pruning.  This  system  is  the  one 
most  generally  practiced  in  the 
training  of  American  grape  va- 
rieties. Vines  trained  by  this 
system  can  be  easily  laid  down 
and  covered  in  winter  in  the  ex- 
treme northern  sections. 


471 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


17 


A small  amount  of  wood  is  left  in  pruning  healthy  vines  and  a good 
quality  of  fruit  is  obtained. 

THE  HORIZONTAL-ARM  SPUR  SYSTEM. 

In  the  horizontal-arm  spur  system  two  horizontal  arms,  one  on 
each  side,  are  grown  from  the  body  of  the  vine  at  the  lower  wire  of 
the  trellis  and  tied  to  this  wire.  These  arms  remain,  but  the  canes 
on  them  are  cut  back  every  year  to  spurs  of  two  fruitful  buds  each. 
The  fruit-bearing  shoots  growing  from  these  are  tied  to  the  wires 
overhead,  the  number  of  spurs  left  depending  on  the  variety  and  size 
of  the  vine.  New  spurs  to  replace  those  becoming  weak  or  out  of 
shape  are  grown  from  new  shoots  starting  from  the  horizontal  arm. 

In  this  system  the 
vines  are  pruned  and 
trained  the  same  as 
for  the  high-renewal 
system,  up  to  the  end 
of  the  fourth  year. 

Sometimes  the  hori- 
zontal arms  are  also 
renewed.  Figure  17, 

Z>,  represents  an  un- 
pruned vine.  Figure 
18  represents  the  same 
vine  pruned  accord- 
ing to  this  system. 

This  system  was  at 
one  time  extensively 
practiced  in  the  Chautauqua  grape  belt  on  Lake  Erie.  With  it 
more  fruit  is  obtained  from  some  varieties  than  by  the  preceding 
method,  which  results  in  too  much  wood  growth;  otherwise  it  is  not 
as  good.  More  old  wood  is  left  and  the  pruning  is  more  tedious  and 
expensive  than  with  the  high-renewal  system. 

THE  HORIZONTAL  BLOCK  SYSTEM. 

A system  combining  some  of  the  points  of  each  of  the  preceding 
ones  is  the  horizontal  block  system.  In  this  the  vines  are  manipu- 
lated as  with  the  preceding  systems  and  pruned  in  the  same  way  for 
the  first  four  years,  after  which  the  unpruned  vine  is  pruned  as  shown 
in  figure  19.  As  practiced  in  the  same  localities  this  system  appears 
to  be  a combination  of  the  high-renewal  and  the  horizontal- arm 
spur  systems. 

471 


Fig.  18. — A vine  in  its  fourth  year  pruned  according  to  the 
horizontal-arm  spur  renewal  system. 


18  FARMERS 9 BULLETIN  471. 

THE  FAN  SYSTEM. 

In  the  fan  system  the  vine  growth,  which  is  trained  to  an  upright 
trellis,  is  annually  renewed  to  within  a short  distance  from  the 
ground.  The  vines  are  cut  back  usually  to  four  canes  and  as 
many  spurs  each  year ; the  canes  are  spread  out  and  tied  to  the  trel- 
lis, giving  the  vine 
the  shape  of  a fan. 
Figure  20,  A and  C, 
shows  an  unpruned 
vine  in  the  third 
and  fourth  years. 
Figure  20,  B , shows 
the  same  vine 
pruned  the  fourth 
year  for  this 
system. 

The  advantages 
claimed  by  the  ad- 
vocates of  this  sys- 
tem are  (1)  that 
most  of  the  old 
wood  is  dispensed 
with  each  year,  (2)  that  the  vines  can  be  easily  laid  down  and  covered 
in  winter  when  needful  in  the  extreme  northern  sections,  and  (3) 
that  if  after  pruning  the  canes  are  tied  and  spread  fan  shaped  on 


Fig.  19. — A vine  in  its  fourth  year  pruned  according  to  the 
block  system. 


Fig.  20. — A vine  at  different  ages,  showing  the  method  of  training  by  the  fan  system : 
A , An  unpruned  vine  in  its  third  year ; B,  a pruned  vine  in  its  fourth  year ; C,  an 
unpruned  vine  in  its  fourth  year. 


the  trellis,  as  they  should  be,  the  young  upright-growing  shoots 
fasten  themselves  by  their  tendrils  and  need  practically  no  tying. 
This  system  has  the  disadvantage  of  bearing  the  fruit  too  low  and 
is  not  now  so  generally  in  use  as  formerly. 

471 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING.  19 

THE  HUDSON  HORIZONTAL  SYSTEM. 

The  Hudson  horizontal  system,  extensively  practiced,  as  its  name 
implies,  along  the  Hudson  River,  uses  an  ordinary  two-wire  trellis. 
A strong  stake  reaching  to  the  top  wire  of  the  trellis  is  driven  behind 
each  vine.  Four  perpendicular  slats  which  do  not  touch  the  ground 
are  fastened  to  the  trellis,  two  on  each  side  of  the  vine  and  12  to  15 
inches  apart.  Woven- wire  fence  could  be  substituted  for  the  slats. 
The  vine  is  annually  renewed  back  to  the  trunk,  which  is  about  a foot 
high,  and  a single  cane  and  spur  are  left  at  each  pruning,  the  cane 
long  enough  so  that  when  tied  it  reaches  to  the  top  of  the  stake. 
About  six  bearing  shoots  left  to  grow  on  each  side  of  this  cane  are 
fastened  horizontally  to  the  slats.  The  clusters  hang  free  from  the 
shoots.  When  the  shoots  become  too  long  they  should  be  summer 
pruned.  From  the  spur  left  on  the  trunk  the  cane  is  grown  erect 
and  tied  to  the  stake,  to  become  the  fruiting  cane  to  be  left  the  next 


Fig.  21. — A vine  at  different  ages,  showing  the  method  of  training  by  the  Hudson  hori- 
zontal system  : A,  A pruned  vine  in  its  third  year ; B,  a pruned  vine  in  its  fourth 
year ; C,  an  unpruned  vine  in  its  fourth  year. 


year.  Figure  21,  Ay  shows  a vine  at  the  end  of  the  third  year  pruned 
according  to  this  system.  Figure  21,  C and  B , shows  the  same  vine 
before  and  after  pruning  a year  later. 

The  advocates  of  this  system  claim  for  it  a more  uniform  distribu- 
tion of  the  young  shoots  and  say  that  the  fruit  hangs  well  supported 
and  protected. 

THE  FOUR-CANE  KNIFFIN  SYSTEM. 

On  the  trunk  of  the  vine  at  the  lower  wire  of  a two-wire  trellis, 
about  30  inches  from  the  ground,  two  canes  and  two  spurs  are  left 
of  last  year’s  growth,  and  two  more  canes  and  spurs  are  left  at  the' 
top  wire,  about  56  inches  from  the  ground.  These  canes,  which  are 
tied  to  the  wire  on  each  side  of  the  vine,  produce  fruiting  shoots 
which  are  allowed  to  hang  down  or  droop  as  seen  in  figure  7.  The 
same  vine  as  it  appears  after  pruning  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  year 
when  trained  according  to  this  four-cane  Kniffin  system  is  shown  in 
471 


20 


FARMERS 9 BULLETIN  471. 


figure  14.  This  system  is  named  after  William  Kniffin,  who  first 
employed  it.  It  has  been  extensively  used  along  the  Hudson  River 
and  elsewhere,  and  is  said  to  be  especially  adapted  to  strong-growing 
varieties.  Vines  trained  by  this  system  are  easily  and  quickly  pruned 
and  require  only  a limited  amount  of  labor  in  the  growing  season. 

THE  UMBRELLA  OR  TWO-CANE  KNIFFIN  SYSTEM. 

A system  very  generally  used  in  the  training  of  American  vines, 
known  as  the  umbrella  or  two-cane  Kniffin  system,  differs  from  the 
foregoing  in  that  no  canes  or  spurs  are  left  at  the  lower  wire,  the 
trunk  of  the  vine  extending  directly  to  the  top  wire,  where  the  growth 
is  annually  cut  back  to  two  canes  and  two  spurs,  one  on  each  side, 
which  are  fastened  to  the  top  wire.  It  is  best  to  tie  the  trunk  to  both 
the  upper  and  lower  wires  to  prevent  violent  wdiipping  of  the  hang- 
ing shoots.  Some  growers  dispense  with  the  lower  wire.  Figure  22, 
A and  i?,  shows  a vine,  trained  according  to  this  system,  before  and 

after  pruning  at  the 
end  of  the  fourth 
year. 

This  system  is 
really  an  improve- 
ment on  the  four- 
cane  Kniffin  system. 
The  absence  of  the 
two  lower  canes  in- 
sures a good  upright 
trunk,  and  the  re- 
newal of  the  fruit-bearing  wood  to  one  head  makes  the  vine  more 
easily  pruned,  leaves  less  old  wood,  and  results  in  cleaner  and  better- 
ventilated  vines. 

THE  MUNSON  SYSTEM. 

The  Munson  system  derives  its  name  from  its  originator,  Prof. 
T.  V.  Munson,  of  Denison,  Tex.  As  first  practiced  by  him,  use  was 
made  of  two  rows  of  light  posts  or  stakes,  the  posts  being  driven 
opposite  each  other,  their  tops  being  about  18  to  20  inches  apart. 
Wires  were  stretched  along  the  tops  of  the  posts  in  each  row,  with 
a third  wire  somewhat  lower  and  midway  between  them  upon  cross 
wires. 

Munson  now  uses  single  posts.  Across  the  top  of  each  post  a 
crossbar  of  wood  is  fastened.  The  outer  wires  of  the  trellis  are  fas- 
tened to  the  outer  ends  of  the  crossbar,  and  the  inner  wire  is  fastened 
to  the  post  the  desired  distance  lower  down.  The  writer  secures 
essentially  the  same  results  in  practice  by  using  durable  posts  suffi- 

471 


Fig.  22. — A pruned  vine  ( A ) and  an  unpruned  vine  ( B ), 
showing  the  method  of  training  by  the  umbrella  system. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


21 


ciently  heavy  to  allow  pieces  of  2 by  4 inch  joist,  2 feet  long,  to  be 
firmly  spiked  to  them  either  at  the  side  or  on  top,  when  sawed  off 
at  the  right  height  for  the  purpose.  The  outer  wires  are  stretched 
on  the  cross  joist,  and  the  lower  wire  is  either  stapled  against  or  run 
through  the  posts  at  the  desired  distance  below,  as  shown  in  figure 
23,  B.  Four  to  4J  feet  above  the  ground  is  a good  height  for  the 


lower  wires  for 
most  varieties. 

By  this  system 
a single  main 
trunk  for  each 
vine  is  grown  and 
tied  to  the  lower 
wire.  In  pruning 
this  trunk  two 
canes  and  two 
spurs  are  an- 
nually left.  The 
canes  running  to 
the  right  and  to 


the  left  are  se- 
curely tied  to  the 
lower  wire.  The 
outer  wires  are 
for  the  sole  pur- 
pose of  support- 
ing the  growing 
shoots,  which 
naturally  develop 
from  the  canes 
and  gradually 
droop  toward  the 
ground.  Figure 
23,  A and  B,  shows 
the  vines  pruned 
and  unpruned,  trained  after  the  modified  Munson  system.  The 
writer  considers  this  the  best  all-round  system  of  training  for  use  in 
localities  where  rains  and  storms  occur  during  the  growing  season. 
It  protects  the  fruit  and  places  it  in  the  most  advantageous  surround- 
ings for  the  best  results.  It  makes  practicable  and  facilitates  spray- 
ing for  fungous  diseases  and  insect  pests  and,'  after  the  original  out- 
lay for  the  trellis  has  been  incurred,  lessens  the  cost  of  all  operations 
and  makes  them  easy  and  pleasant. 

471 


Fig.  23. — Unpruned  vines  (A)  and  pruned  vines  (B),  showing 
the  method  of  training  by  the  modified  Munson  system. 


22 


FARMERS*  BULLETIN  471. 


THE  OVERHEAD  UAYWOOD  SYSTEM. 

In  the  overhead  system,  which  has  been  used  to  some  extent  in 
New  York,  the  vines  are  carried  upon  a canopy  or  overhead  arbor 
6 feet  above  the  ground,  consisting  of  three  horizontal  wires  stretched 

at  the  same  height. 
The  center  wire  is 
fastened  to  posts 
which  are  placed  at 
regular  intervals,  and 
the  side  wires  are  at- 
tached to  3-foot  cross 
arms  of  wood  fas- 
tened to  the  posts. 
The  head  of  the  vine 
is  annually  cut  back 
to  five  canes  and  five 
spurs.  The  canes  are 
fastened  on  the  wires, 
two  in  one  direction 
and  three  in  the 
other,  this  division 
being  alternated  each 
year.  Figure  24,  A and  B , shows  vines  pruned  and  unpruned, 
trained  according  to  this  system. 

It  has  no  advantages  over  the  modified  Munson  system  just  de- 
scribed and  to  the  writer  appears  inferior  in  every  way. 

THE  CHITTENDEN  SYSTEM. 

The  Chittenden  system  as  employed  in  Michigan  is  similar  to  the 
overhead  system,  but  the  trellis  is  lower,  not  exceeding  4 or  5 feet. 

THE  MULTIPLE  CROSS-WIRE  SYSTEM,  OR  OVERHEAD  ARBOR. 

The  multiple  cross-wire  system  is  used  largely  with  the  Rotundi- 
folia  varieties  of  the  South,  which  are  usually  planted  10  by  20,  15  by 
15,  or  20  by  20  feet  apart.  In  following  this  method  a substantial, 
durable  post  reaching  7 feet  above  the  ground  is  planted  at  each  vine. 
Rows  of  well-braced  posts,  running  parallel  with  and  also  at  the  ends 
of  the  rows  of  vines,  are  set  at  the  boundaries  of  the  vineyard.  From 
the  tops  of  these  posts  on  the  four  sides  of  the  vineyard  a No.  10 
galvanized  wire  is  run  along  the  tops  of  the  inside  posts  down  each 
row  in  both  directions  as  a governor  wire.  No.  14  wires,  2 feet  apart, 
are  run  parallel  with  the  governor  wires  until  in  this  manner  the 

471 


showing  the  method  of  training  by  the  overhead  Caywood 
system. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 


23 


entire  area  has  been  regularly  covered.  It  has  been  the  general  custom 
to  cause  a single  trunk  to  grow  erect  from  the  ground  up  alongside 
each  inside  post,  keeping  it  tied  thereto.  When  the  vine  has  reached 
the  top  of  the  post  it  is  pinched  in  or  cut  back  so  as  to  make  it  throw 
out  shoots  to  grow  and  spread  over  the  arbor.  When  this  object  is 
accomplished  it  is  the  general  practice  to  do  no  more  pruning,  the 
growers  asserting  that  the  vines  prune  themselves.  There  is  no  rea- 
son, however,  why  the  Rotundifolia  varieties  should  not  be  pruned 
and  the  fruit-bearing  tops  regularly  renewed.  Some  growers  con- 
struct arbors  entirely  of  wood,  using  slats  instead  of  wires.  (Fig.  25.) 


Fig.  25. — Vines  trained  by  the  multiple  cross-wire  system  or  overhead  arbor. 

From  experiments  as  to  the  best  methods  of  training  Rotundifolia 
varieties,  which  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  is  con- 
ducting under  the  direction  of  the  writer  for  the  purpose  of  improv- 
ing the  quality  of  the  fruit,  getting  better  and  more  regular  fruiting 
results,  counteracting  black-rot  injury,  etc..,  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve it  will  soon  be  necessary  to  advocate  the  growing  of  Rotundifolia 
varieties  on  an  upright  trellis. 

THE  OVERHEAD  TRELLIS  OR  PARRALES  SYSTEM. 

The  overhead  trellis  or  parrales  system  is  used  in  Almeria  in 
training  the  Ohanez  and  other  Almerian  varieties  of  grapes,  large 
quantities  of  which  shipped  in  cork  dust  reach  our  markets  every  year. 
The  trellis  used  is  practically  the  same  as  the  overhead-wire  trellis 

471 


24 


FARMERS*  BULLETIN  471. 


just  described  as  in 
use  for  the  Rotun- 
difolia  varieties. 
The  Almerian  vines 
are  planted  about 
15  by  15  feet  apart 
and  trained  with  a 
straight  stem  to  a 
height  of  about  7 
feet.  From  the  top 
of  this  stem  fruit- 
ing canes  varying 
from  10  to  15  in 
number  and  from 
1 to  6 feet  in  length,- according  to  the  strength  of  the  vine,  are  run 
out  in  all  directions.  These  canes  are  annually  renewed  as  near 
back  to  the  main  stem  as  possible  with  canes  grown  from  spurs  left 
for  this  purpose.  (Fig.  26.) 

THE  CROSS-WIRE  SYSTEM. 

The  single  cross-wire  system  is  used  in  the  vicinity  of  Marl- 
boro, N.  Y.  In  this 
system  posts  are  set  8 
feet  apart  each  way 
and  made  to  project 
feet  above  the 
ground,  a single  wire 
running  on  top  from 
post  to  post  in  both 
directions.  A single 
trunk  vine  is  trained 
up  each  post,  four 
canes  being  run  from 
it  at  the  top  of  the 
post  and  one  cane  is 
fastened  to  each  of  the 
radiating  wires.  These 
canes  are  renewed  each 
year.  Figure  27  illus- 
trates a vine  pruned 

Fig.  27. — A pruned  vine,  showing  the  cross-wire  system 
after  this  system.  of  training. 

471 


GRAPJE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING. 

THE  SPUR,  STOOL,  OR  SHORT  PRUNING  SYSTEM. 


25 


The  spur,  stool,  or  short  pruning  system  is  the  one  so  extensively 
used  in  California  with  the  stockier  growing  varieties  of  Vinifera. 
It  is  the  simplest  and  cheapest  method  of  pruning  and  training  vines. 
By  this  method  the  body  of  the  vine  is  grown  to  the  desired  height, 
and  shoots  are  permitted  to  grow  from  only  the 
two  uppermost  buds.  The  two  resulting  canes 
are  cut  back  in  the  winter  to  spurs  of  two  eyes 
each.  The  following  year  these  spurs  are  allowed 
to  produce  growth  and  the  resulting  canes  are 
again  cut  back  to  spurs  and  all  of  them  allowed 
to  remain  if  the  vine  is  strong  enough.  (Fig. 

13,  A.)  Thus  the  vine  under  ordinary  conditions 
at  the  beginning  of  the 
fifth  year  consists  of  a trunk 
from  which  spring  four  or 
five  arms,  on  each  of  which 
a cane  has  been  cut  back 
to  a spur,  as  shown  in  fig- 
ure 28.  When  the  vine  is 
pruned  the  following  winter 
all  or  nearly  all  the  outer 
canes  that  have  grown  from 
the  spurs  are  entirely  re- 
moved. The  spurs  of  the 
last  season  are  cut  off  just 
outside  the  inner  canes,  which  are  cut  back  to 
spurs,  the  pruning  each  winter  after  this  being 
to  promote  a regular  system  of  spur  renewal. 
As  the  vines  become  older  and  stronger  and  can 
stand  more  cropping,  more  spurs  are  left  to 
increase  the  fruiting  capacity  of  the  plant.  In 
course  of  time  the  arms  of  the  respective  spurs 
are  renewed  and  entirely  new  arms  and  spurs 
are  grown.  The  head  of  the  vine  should  be 
kept  well  balanced  and  given  a globular  form, 
if  possible.  Some  varieties  on  which  the  lower 
eyes  are  not  sufficiently  productive  may  be  improved  by  increas- 
ing the  length  of  the  spurs  and  the  number  of  eyes,  leaving  four 
or  even  five  eyes  to  a spur  according  to  the  variety  of  vine. 

471 


Fig.  28. — A pruned  vine 
in  its  fifth  year,  show- 
ing the  method  of 
training  by  the  spur, 
stool,  or  short  system. 


Fig.  29. — A pruned  vine 
in  its  fifth  year,  show- 
ing the  method  of 
training  by  the  cane 
system. 


26 


FARMERS*  BULLETIN  471. 

THE  LONG  OR  CANE  PRUNING  SYSTEM. 

The  long  or  cane  pruning  system  is  also  in  general  use  in  California. 
When  vines  are  trained  according  to  this  system  the  fruit  is  borne 
on  canes  which  are  tied  to  a stake  as  shown  in  figure  29,  the  spurs 
which  are  left  to  grow  from  them  producing  canes  for  the  following 
year.  In  pruning,  the  canes  which  fruited  the  previous  year  as  well 
as  the  arms  on  which  they  grew  are  entirely  removed,  the  canes  pro- 
duced from  the  spurs  left  the  previous  year  furnishing  the  fruiting 
canes  and  spurs  needed.  In  this  manner  the  head  of  the  vine  is 
renewed  from  year  to  year,  and  as  the  plants  grow  older  and  stronger 

the  fruiting  capacity  is  increased  by  leaving 
more  canes  and  spurs.  Figure  13,  A , shows  a 
vine  at  the  end  of  the  second  year;  figure  30, 
at  the  end  of  the  third  year ; and  figure  29,  at 
the  end  of  the  fifth  year,  pruned  according 
to  this  system. 

THE  PRINCIPAL  GRAPE  REGIONS  OF 
THE  UNITED  STATES. 

There  are  three  distinct  viticultural  regions 
in  the  United  States  which  segregate  them- 
selves by  the  grape  species  grown  in  them. 

The  Yinifera  region,  in  which  Yinifera  va- 
rieties are  almost  exclusively  grown,  is  located 
almost  entirely  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
so  much  of  it  being  in  California  that  those 
not  conversant  with  grape  varieties  errone- 
ously call  them  California  grapes.  With  few 
exceptions  either  the  spur,  stool,  or  short 
pruning  system  is  used  for  the  stockier  grow- 
ing varieties,  and  the  long  or  cane  pruning 
system  is  usually  used  for  the  longer  grow- 
ing varieties,  but  either  system  is  often  modi- 
fied to  suit  individual  varieties.  Thus  the  spurs  are  sometimes  left 
longer  in  the  spur  system,  and  either  spurs  and  canes  left  longer  or 
spurs  cut  on  the  laterals  in  the  cane  system. 

Stakes  only  are  used  to  give  the  vines  the  necessary  support;  this 
method  allows  the  vineyard  to  be  cultivated  crosswise  as  well  as 
lengthwise.1  Yines  trained  on  trellises  are  comparatively  rare  in 
California. 

The  more  generally  known  Yinifera  varieties  grown  in  this  district 
are  the  Alexandria,  Alicante  Bouschet,  Aramon,  Burger,  Cabernet 

1 “ See  Grape,  Rasin,  and  Wine  Production  in  the  United  States,”  Yearbook,  U.  S.  Dept, 
of  Agriculture,  for  1902.  , 

471 


Fig.  30. — A pruned  vine  in 
its  third  year,  showing 
the  method  of  training 
by  the  cane  system. 


GRAPE  PROPAGATION,  PRUNING,  AND  TRAINING.  27 

Sauvignon,  Calmette,  Carignane,  Chasselas  de  Fontainebleau,  Corni- 
chon,  Emperor,  Flame  Tokay,  Green  Hungarian,  Grenache,  Malaga, 
Mission,  Mondeuse,  Mourestel,  Pizzutella,  Petit  Syrah,  Purple  Da- 
mascus, Riesling,  Semilion,  Sauvignon  Vert,  Sultanina,  Sylvaner, 
Yaldepenas,  and  Zinfandel. 

The  Muscadine  region  of  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States 
includes  the  entire  southeastern  coastal  plain  extending  from  the 
Potomac  to  Florida,  reaching  well  up  into  the  Blue  Ridge  Moun- 
tains and  along  the  Gulf  coast  to  the  Rio  Grande  River,  spreading 
to  the  north  along  the  Mississippi  River  into  the  great  central  plains  to 
southeast  Missouri  and  the  Tennessee  River.  In  this  region  improved 
varieties  of  the  Rotundifolia  and  Munsoniana  species  are  grown  for 
various  purposes,  the  better-known  varieties  of  these  being  the  Eden, 
Flowers,  J ames,  Mish,  Scuppernong,  and  Thomas.  The  multiple  cross- 
wire system  or  overhead  arbor  is  almost  exclusively  used.  As  pre- 
viously mentioned,  these  arbors  are  very  similar  to  the  overhead  trellis 
or  parrales  system  used  in  Spain  with  the  Almerian  varieties  commonly 
seen  in  our  markets  packed  in  cork  dust  and  called  u Malaga  ” grapes. 

The  third  or  American  native-grape  region  is  the  one  in  which 
improved  varieties  of  the  more  northern  native  grape  species  and 
hybrids  of  them  and  the  Vinifera  species  are  grown.  This  region 
comprises  all  that  part  of  the  United  States  which  lies  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  Of  late  years  a few  plantings  have  also  been  made 
in  parts  of  Oregon  and  Washington,  but  the  industry  is  most  extensive 
in  the  States  west  of  the  Hudson  River  and  north  of  the  Ohio  River 
that  border  on  the  Great  Lakes  and  in  the  more  centrally  located  States 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  In  this  district  the  high-renewal,  hori- 
zontal-arm spur,  horizontal  block,  fan,  Hudson  horizontal,  four-cane 
Ivniffin,  umbrella  or  two-cane  Kniffin,  Munson,  overhead  Caywood, 
and  Chittenden  systems  are  used,  the  localities  in  which  they  origi- 
nated or  are  most  common  being  stated  in  the  description  of  the 
various  systems.  The  varieties  most  extensively  grown  are  the  fol- 
lowing: Agawam,  America,  Barry,  Beacon,  Berckmans,  Brighton, 
Brilliant,  Campbell,  Carman,  Catawba,  Champion,  Clinton,  Concord, 
Cottage,  Cynthiana,  Daisy,  Dawn,  Delaware,  Diamond,  Diana,  Duch- 
ess, Eaton,  Elvicand,  Elvira,  Empire  State,  Fern,  Gold  Coin,  Gaertner, 
Goethe,  Headlight,  Ilerbemont,  Herbert,  Iona,  Isabella,  Ives,  Jaeger, 
Janesville,  Jefferson,  Lady,  Laussel,  Lenoir,  Lindley,  Lutie,  Martha, 
Massasoit,  Merrimac,  Missouri  Riesling,  Moore,  Muench,  Nectar, 
Niagara,  Noah,  Norton,  Olita,  Perkins,  Perry,  Pocklington,  Prentiss, 
Rommel,  Salem,  Triumph,  Ulster,  Vergennes;  Victor,  Washington, 
Wilder,  Winchell,  Wetumka,  Woodruff,  Worden,  and  Wyoming. 

471 


3 0112  072910695 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  A 
CULTURE  RELATING  TO  FRUITS. 


AVAILABLE  FOR  FREE  DISTRIBUTION  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT. 


( Farmers’ 


Bulletin  644. 


(Farmers’  Bulletin  721 


The  Home  Fruit  Garden : Preparation  and  Care.  ( Farmers'  Bulletin  154. ) 

The  Propagation  of  Plants.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  157.) 

Pruning.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  181.) 

Blackberry  Culture.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  643.) 

Manufacture  and  Use  of  Unfermented  Grape  Juice. 

Muscadine  Grapes.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  709.) 

Growing  Fruit  for  Home  Use  in  the  Great  Plains  Area. 

Dewberry  Culture.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  728.) 

Muscadine  Grape  Sirup.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  758.) 

Growing  Cherries  East  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  776.) 

Home  Uses  for  Muscadine  Grapes.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  859.) 

Raspberry  Culture.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  887.) 

Growing  Peaches:  Sites,  Propagation,  and  Cultural  Methods.  (Farmers’  Bullel 
tin  917.) 

Horticultural  Experiments  at  the  San  Antonio  Field  Station,  Southern 
(Department  Bulletin  162.) 

The  Handling  and  Storage  of  Apples  in  the  Pacific  Northwest.  (Department 
Bulletin.  587. ) v 

Testing  Grape  Varieties  in  the  Vinifera  Regions  of  the  United  States.  (Dt 
partment  Bulletin  209.) 

Experiments  in  the  Control  of  Grape  Anthracnose.  (Bureau  of  Plant  Industrj 
Circular  105.) 

FOR  SALE  BY  THE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  DOCUMENTS,  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING 
OFFICE,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

Raspberries.  (Farmers’  Bulletin  213.)  Price  5 cents. 

Insect  and  Fungous  Enemies  of  the  Grape  East  of  the  Rocky  Mountain^ 
(Farmers’  Bulletin  284.)  Price  5 cents. 

The  Grape  Leaf  hopper  in  the  Lake  Erie  Valley.  (Department  Bulletin  19.g|j 
Price  10  cents. 

Factors  Governing  the  Successful  Storage  of  California  Table  Grapes.  (D<| 
partment  Bulletin  35.)  Price  10  cents. 

Development  of  Sugar  and  Acid  in  Grapes  during  Ripening.  (DepartmerJ 
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MHMj 

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The  Chemical  Composition  of  American  Grapes  Grown  in  the  Central  ai 
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Field  Studies  of  the  Crown-Gall  of  the  Grape.  (Bureau  of  Plant  Industi^ 
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28 


o 


